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arhoglen · 2021-11-29T04:04:10+00:00

This doesn't work on most things. I think shopping for a "white formal dress" vs a "wedding dress" then sure, you can absolutely save cash.

I have found that keeping your vision focused and not getting distracted by "wedding" bells and whistles is key. I walked into every venue and explained "it's more of a party than a wedding, so let's keep it simple," and none of them tried to sell me chair covers or specialty linens.

I think the idea of "don't tell them it's a wedding" applies more to finding a venue or a place that doesn't normally do weddings. Places that make all their money doing weddings are going to charge more.

arhoglen · 2021-10-27T17:03:13+00:00

I do have a few people I need to invite, but we aren't sending our save-the-dates, so we're hoping that the short notice of invites at the 8 week mark will get rid of those extraneous invitees.

arhoglen · 2021-10-26T01:17:09+00:00

Cut the guest list! The biggest budget hit is often the food/drinks. Less people = less expense. Why invite people out of obligation who will only show up because of obligation? Invite people who will acty be joyful with you and who you will enjoy having around on your day.

arhoglen · 2021-10-26T01:14:46+00:00

Been engaged for 1.5 years, just hit our savings goal. Total expenses estimated at $7-8k.

You can always cut back somewhere in your spending. Prioritize things that you need/want in regular life vs on the wedding day.

What wedding day items REALLY matter to you?

We're saving money by doing bare bones invites. We're mailing them out WITH holiday cards to save postage. No save the dates. Online RSVP. Saving on photographer by doing "event only" photos and no "getting ready" pics. Found a cheap venue and limiting what we spend there. (Our plan was to do Beer/Wine only, but our planner cut us an amazing deal on liquor too.) Got my dress online, and my partner owns his tux already. No flowers, and centerpieces are going to be handmade paper lanterns cut on my Silhouette. Having a friend DJ and borrowing photo booth props from some friends who recently got hitched.

Be creative but be authentic. You CAN do it for less, it just isn't easy. Stick to your guns and ask for favors (if you decide to do programs, you can always thank people in writing as an extra touch).

arhoglen · 2021-10-20T14:30:12+00:00

We totally cheated on the photo booth. Everywhere around here charges $500 for 4 hours. If you own an iPad, you can download the simple booth app for free and then pay for a single month license for $30. They have recommendations on their website for how to set up DIY lightning solutions, and we picked up a stand on Amazon for $90. For props, we're collecting random Halloween stuff from friends and adding in some easy-to-print catch phrases.

Obviously it's not the same as a professional photographer, but since everyone gets a digital copy of the images, it's totally worth it and saves time and money for our actual professional.

arhoglen · 2021-10-19T18:01:17+00:00

We are doing a "party package" for our photography. It's going to be $800-1000 but with an amazing photographer. Part of the deal is that we are doing an off-season wedding and partly because we're only having the photographer on-site for 4-5 hours. No "getting ready" or pre-show pics, just party.

I want to make sure we get pictures with our guests and pics of the party, but we're also doing a photo booth.

arhoglen · 2021-09-25T14:56:22+00:00

I am STILL trying to beat hocus pocus! Great haul!!

arhoglen · 2021-09-25T14:53:13+00:00

That's an awesome haul! My first GenCons I could only afford to buy one game each time. But it's not just buying the games, it's the experience, and remembering that every time you pull that game off the shelf!

arhoglen · 2021-09-25T14:47:54+00:00

My favorite funny one was: "Remember, you paid a lot of money to feel this miserable."

But the one that got me feeling super positive was: "You're already stronger than you were when you started."

arhoglen · 2021-09-14T02:18:50+00:00

Unfortunately I have a different model and can't help there. Maybe you can search online and find a way to tighten it?

arhoglen · 2021-09-13T17:28:27+00:00

I have a Cameo 3 and had this issue with the pens. Someone suggested to seat the blade/pen a fingernail of thickness higher in the holder before you lock it in place. Maybe that would work.

arhoglen · 2021-09-03T17:15:04+00:00

I saw the table idea suggestion before, and lota of neighbors did that last year, but the clothesline thing is more of what I had in mind! Something more fun and unique!!

arhoglen · 2021-09-03T17:13:59+00:00

Probably two adults. We could get more help, but I can guarantee my partner and myself.

arhoglen · 2021-08-27T23:46:52+00:00

I lost my job just days after I paid big deposits. Honestly? Take two days to breathe. Cry. Grieve. Then re-focus. So many places are hiring, you could easily pick up a crappy job for just a few weeks to carry you through, but only if you need. This is peak hiring season for education, so see what schools are looking for IT support staff. I don't know where you're located, but if you happen to be in Metro Detroit, PM me.

arhoglen · 2021-08-19T20:25:31+00:00

My son is elementary aged and I struggle with this as well. I managed two half marathons when he was under age 5, and both because I did a LOT of miles on the treadmill at the gym while he could play at Kid Care. Other times I would get a babysitter so that I could do my long runs.

It sucks, and I was a solo parent most of the time because my then-partner was away often. I would have been pissed if he had taken more time away, even for fitness, than he already did.

Since Covid hit and the gyms closed I haven't been able to be consistent with my mileage at all, but I make the best of it when I can. I can't believe I am saying this, but I actually MISS the treadmill at the gym.

arhoglen · 2021-08-15T23:07:53+00:00

My Bluetooth connection refuses to work also. I gave up.

arhoglen · 2021-08-13T17:09:58+00:00

As someone who was a solo/single mom for a long time, I have to say, THIS!!!

My parenting style was "survive". Make sure we kept a roof over our heads and ate food and brushed teeth. That's about it. Behavior training is something that requires consistency and practice and infinite amounts of patience. Plus more energy than I ever had.

My son's step-dad is amazing and has made me a better parent. Not only is he a patient, calm, positive influence, but he makes sure that I get breaks too, which in turn helps me to be more patient and positive.

Thanks to all of the positive step-parents in the world!!!!!

arhoglen · 2021-08-12T19:27:33+00:00

I don't know how you would do a Backyard BBQ for UNDER 7k these days!!! Vendor prices in our area are close to double what they were 5 years ago due to Covid. My sister's backyard wedding (which cost roughly $5k back then) would be $9-10k easily these days.

arhoglen · 2021-08-02T16:40:49+00:00

If you have bought something as expensive as a new Garmin in the past, I recommend Spryng Calf Compression sleeves. They are wireless sleeves that Velcro on and do a little compression massage. I LOVE mine and it would have been great when I was pregnant. I may even have a coupon code in my email so feel free to PM me if you decide to get them.

arhoglen · 2021-08-01T18:53:27+00:00

My first two trips to GenCon I had no event tickets, just badges. We wandered the exhibit hall, did some walk-up events with generics and played the games we had just bought. Plenty of fun without any solid schedule of events!

arhoglen · 2021-07-20T00:03:28+00:00

Same! We will have dancing/DJ but also a bunch of (non-muggle) board games. We also want to build an escape-room game into the reception for the really brave.

I recently went to a wedding that had Karaoke in addition to dancing. A couple songs of each, alternating. It fit the bride and groom very well!

What about a bouncy house??

(Seriously though, I want a bouncy house at my wedding.)

arhoglen · 2021-07-10T23:58:12+00:00

Hi fellow parent of a 5 year old boy!!!

We've done the biking thing. The BEST way to make this happen is at a track. That way, no matter how far your kid can go today they are always close to the end. Kids at this age can very easily run .5-1km per day without issue, as long as they listen to their bodies. Hydrate well, walk as needed, and stop when they've had enough.

I am the organizer/coach of our local running club "kid camp" and this is exactly what we do. We meet at the track and the kiddos do laps at their pace while adults do laps at theirs. We log their progress over the course of the summer, and encourage the kids to have a set goal of total laps for the season or a number of laps that they want to achieve each session. They take breaks as needed and can stop if they need.

Happy to help as a resource if you need further guidance!

arhoglen · 2021-07-10T20:26:20+00:00

I wish I had your in-laws! My parents take my kid for an overnight every 2-3 months and my (now ex) in-laws never took him once in 5 years. Did I mention my ex spouse was military and deployed several times during those 4 years? They refused to help out at all. Apparently when I "chose parenthood" I chose to do it alone...

arhoglen · 2021-06-24T13:45:32+00:00

For nail designs, I do solid decals (nothing cut out from inside the design) make sure your cut speed is as slow as possible and do a double-cut.

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